Delhi High Court Quashes CBI Look Out Circulars Against NDTV Founders Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy

The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed the Look Out Circulars (LOC) opened by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against NDTV's former directors and promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy in 2019.

“The impugned LOC is quashed, subject to the petitioners cooperating with the investigation,”Justice Sachin Datta said while pronouncing the order.

A detailed order is awaited.

In May last year, the Court had orally remarked that it would be futile to continue with the look out circular.

The remark was made after the CBI had defended the LOC, arguing that the same was kept open to keep a watch on Roys' movements.

The counsel appearing for the Roys had submitted that the duo had answered the summon issued to them in 2019 and that their cooperation in the case was not an issue.

He had argued that if the investigation goes on for years without any end in sight and if the summons are answered by the Roys, then the said factor weighs in their favour.

On the other hand, the counsel appearing for CBI said that the LOC was issued to keep a watch on the Roys and the case has international ramifications.

The petition was filed by the Roys against the LOC which was opened pursuant to the registration of two FIRs dated June 2, 2017 and August 19, 2019.

In January, 2023, a coordinate bench hearing the matter had remarked that the LOC “cannot continue (it) in perpetuity” and that the matter “cannot go on like this.”

Title: DR PRANNOY ROY & ANR. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS